The Vice-Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Prof. Adamu Ahmed, has hosted 100 students of the institution to a special lunch programme, urging them to look beyond academic certificates and prepare themselves to create value, solve problems and make meaningful contributions to society.
The programme, tagged “Lunch with the Vice-Chancellor,” brought together a selected group of undergraduate and postgraduate students for an interaction with the university’s leadership and distinguished alumni on opportunities, challenges and responsibilities beyond the classroom.
Prof. Ahmed said the university would sustain the annual initiative, stressing that a university should not be defined only by its buildings, laboratories and lecture halls but, more importantly, by the people it develops.
According to him, students’ years in the university should go beyond the acquisition of degrees.
He encouraged them to use their time at ABU to discover themselves, develop their talents, build meaningful relationships, cultivate good character and prepare for future responsibilities.
The Vice-Chancellor urged the students not to measure success merely by graduating with a certificate but to consider the value they would create and the problems they could solve.
He challenged them to ask themselves what impact they would make, whose lives they would improve and the legacy they hoped to leave behind.
Prof. Ahmed said the world students would eventually enter required creativity, innovation, courage, resilience and a willingness to continue learning.
He therefore encouraged them to take advantage of opportunities available within the university, including academic, entrepreneurial, leadership, sporting, cultural and professional activities.
“The future belongs to those who prepare for it,” he told the students, urging them to make the most of their university experience.
The event was chaired by the Permanent Secretary, Service Policies and Strategies, Office of the Head of Service of the Federation, Dr Musa Ishiyaku Mohammed.
Other prominent personalities at the event included former Senior Special Assistant on Media to former President Muhammadu Buhari, Malam Garba Shehu.
The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Trobell International Nigeria Limited, Lawal Garba, delivered the keynote lecture, while the Director of the CBN Centre for Economics and Finance at ABU, Prof. Auwal Haruna, spoke on “What Happened After the Classroom.”
The Vice-Chancellor commended the distinguished alumni and guests who contributed to the programme, describing their participation as an important opportunity for students to learn from people with practical experience across different sectors.
Student leaders, including representatives of the Students Representatives Council and the Postgraduate Representatives Council, also commended the university management for creating opportunities that expose students to leadership and future responsibilities.
They urged the participants to share the lessons gained from the programme with other students who were unable to attend.
In his vote of thanks, the Director of the Directorate of Advancement, Prof. M. I. Umar-Buratai, praised the Vice-Chancellor for initiating the programme and encouraging students to develop confidence and prepare for life beyond the university.
One of the major highlights of the event was a pledge by the keynote speaker, Lawal Garba, to refund expenses incurred by the university for the costumes used by students during the programme.
Garba also donated N5 million to support Ahmadu Bello University students who will represent Nigeria at the ENACTUS World Cup in Brazil in November.
The colourful event was attended by friends and relatives of the guest speaker, including a delegation from Jam’Iyyar Matan Arewa led by its President, Hajiya Rabi Musa Saulawa, a distinguished alumna of Ahmadu Bello University.
The initiative reflects ABU’s growing emphasis on providing students with experiences beyond conventional classroom learning, while strengthening connections between the university, its students and accomplished alumni.
For the 100 students who participated, the lunch offered more than a meeting with the Vice-Chancellor. It provided an opportunity to reflect on a larger question that may define life after graduation: not simply what certificate they will obtain, but what value they will create with it.
